The U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, one of the world’s most unique military aircraft, will return to the EAA® AirVenture® OshkoshTM fly-in in 2014. The MV-22 will be on display at the event and also give demonstrations of its unique flying capabilities.
EAA AirVenture 2014, the 62nd annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association, will take place July 28-August 3 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The Osprey is making its first appearance at Oshkosh since 2010. This appearance, however, is the first time the aircraft will perform its full Level III flight demonstration at the event. It is making only nine such air show appearances in the U.S. this year.
According to the U.S. Marine Corps website, the Osprey has the speed and range of a turboprop aircraft, the maneuverability of a helicopter and the ability to carry 24 Marine combat troops twice as fast and five times farther than previous helicopters. Commenting on its advanced expeditionary capabilities and staggering operational reach, a top Marine commander went as far as to say it turned his battle space “from the size of Texas into the size of Rhode Island.”
The MV-22, which first flew in 1989, is designed for a variety of uses that include expeditionary assault and raids, cargo lift, and special warfare operations. Its tilt-rotor design allows both vertical takeoff and landing operations as well as short-field takeoff and landing capabilities. The Osprey can also be refueled in flight.
Exact arrival, demonstration and departure dates for the aircraft at Oshkosh will be announced as they are finalized. The Osprey’s appearance continues EAA AirVenture’s long tradition of bringing aircraft from across the aviation spectrum, from the smallest ultralight to the largest transport, to “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.”
